Our mission at Atira Women's Resource Society is twofold: to provide direct services to women and children fleeing violence, and to raise awareness of all forms of gendered violence through education and advocacy.
Since 1983, Atira has offered safe and supportive housing to women and children impacted by violence, as well as a range of services in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Burnaby, Surrey, White Rock, and Richmond.
These services include: long-term and transitional housing, shelter programs, housing outreach and homelessness prevention programs, outreach to senior women and First Nations, Metis and Inuit women affected by violence, support for parents and children who witness abuse, legal support, Stopping the Violence counseling, the 16-step program, and self-employment initiatives.
Our programs are accessible to anyone who identifies and lives full time as a woman and who experiences gendered violence and misogyny, including trans, two spirit and intersex women and or those who identify with a femme of centre non-binary gender.
Critical to the development of our programs and services, Atira's work is informed by the understanding that women's experience of violence often intersects with poverty, racism, substance use, and lack of support for mothering. We also recognize that in addition to providing safety and respect, all of our programs must invite and encourage women’s collaboration and that women must have the opportunity to be active participants in all of our services.
Every woman and child has the right to live without abuse. To learn more about Atira's philosophy, mission, and work in the Metro Vancouver Area, please visit www.atira.bc.ca
